Summer Reading All Year

We love books.  I don't know what we would do without our library.  The limit we can check out is 50 per library card.  There have been many times it takes two of our library cards to get all of our books checked out.  (Luckily we now have 4 cards between us so I think we are in the clear.)  Here are a few of our tried and true authors I highly recommend.

• Anne Rinaldi writes historical fiction with main characters young girls, ages 9 and up can relate to.  I also love what she says got her into this genre:     Rinaldi was drawn to American history when her son, Ron, became involved in Revolutionary War re-enactments while he was in high school. “Most mothers go to soccer or football games,” said Rinaldi, “but I went to wars.” Rinaldi herself participated in some of the re-enactments, even dressing in period costume for the events. Seeing young people, like her son, become excited about history, she wanted to use her writing to bring that excitement to readers.   Historical re-enactments are very cool.  Ruth and her cousin have an orientation at our local Fort this weekend to become re-enactors.  I don't do soccer mom well, but I can do this-and love it.
• Anne Rockwell writes books for preschool and elementary aged children.  She sums up the reason we love her in these two quotes:  "In doing books for the very youngest children I always remind myself that the familiar world we might consider mundane is new and exciting to them."  That is my philosophy on most children's books and toys.  Here's another "Most cultures have stories that take place in fantastic other worlds.  But the real world can also be turned into stories that show children their world in a new way."  I think young children do not need fantasy because what is real is wonderful and establishes the foundation they can build their own fantasies upon.
• Stan and Jan Berenstain  This might surprise you because I am not a fan of Anthropomorphism, but I let it slide on this one.  I also don't allow books that are a TV show or movie-Unless-the book came first.  Which in this case it did.  I also am not wild about reading these stories, they are long for picture books.  So why am a recommending them?  One big reason is my children absolutely  love them.  Another is I love the husband/wife writing/illustrating team.  Two of their books that are not Berenstain Bear you should check out are below. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

Child's Play  and  Down A Sunny Dirt Road

Rosie the Mama

This wonderful sculpture is here in Vancouver.  It honors the more than 10,000 women who worked in the local the Kaiser shipyards during WWII.  Can you imagine being a single mom, your husband at war, having to ration most of what your family needs and joining the workforce for the first time?  

The unglamorous side is clearly pictured above.  I am not sure who this woman is, but the picture was in a family album.  The back of the picture states she was working at a shipyard in Alameda, Ca.  

Regardless, the Rosie look is one of my favorite mom looks.  Next to house dresses I could spend days in a good pair of overalls and my hair all up in a scarf.

Taking Back Saddle Shoes

I love saddle shoes.  A perfect oxford in black and white.  Unfortunately I have shied away from them through out my vintage wearing life.  Why?  Well because of the bubble gum baggage they bring with them.  The poodle skirt, sock hop, Happy Days costume they happen to play a big part in.  The truth is though the saddle shoe has been worn since the early 1900's.  So if you are like me and hesitate to wear them even though they are one of the few vintage shoes constantly remade and often sold at very affordable prices, remember real people did wear them-even with out poodle skirts. : )  Here are a couple family pictures showing the side of the saddle shoe I love.

I took the above one of my mom off my niece's recent post, My Grandma in the 1940's and 1950's

Let's Catch Up

My computer has been acting up and in the shop all last week.  Causing me to fall behind with blogging all our summer fun.  Here are some photos to catch us up.

While attempting to sort the garage I decided to sell these panther pictures.  I love them, but they haven't been hung in the 10 years I have had them.  (I do have their big brother's hanging in my living room)  Bakelite Bebe was kind enough to take them off my hands.

The girls were thrilled to find Papa's old "boy Barbie's" while we were out in the garage.

We hung out with some babies.  At this BBQ there were 5 one and under!

We went to the coast and explored shipwrecks.

Ruth went camping.

Pearl and Grace attended VBS.

We caught crickets to put in our Chinese grasshopper container.  Followed by Chinese food.

We used the leftovers for a delish East meets West BBQ the following day.  Where Pearl helped her Mama out with a slight costume malfunction.

So I hope we are all caught up and can look forward to the rest of the summer.  Although my laptop is still acting up so off the the shop again tomorrow!

Even Better Than A Blue Ribbon!

The Vintage Housewife, Cat

This morning I had the sweetest little surprise, I was a winner!  What did I win?  Well, that cute gingham number pictures above.  And who did I win it from?  The Vintage Housewife, the one and only Cat.  Now I'm sure most of you are familiar with her blog, but did you know she started another?!  She did!  And it is all about her closet.  You should go and see some of the goodies in there.  Cat's style is one I just adore and relate to more than any.  Good ole' cotton feedsack dresses.  Perfect for us Mama's.  So I am just thrilled to be adding another to my closet.   Thank you Cat, I admire you more each time I read your blog.  Thanks for the glimpse you give us into your life.

Life in the Pink Tower: Sensorial Explorer

A "sensorial explorer" is how Montessori would define an infant from birth-and possibly before.  What is the child exploring?  Their environment.  The number one environment for an infant is their home, and you can provide many opportunities to assist your baby in this work.  The activity Dotty and I did above is pretty self explanatory from the photos.  I always pour water for her to try to catch in the bath while saying "water".  It is so basic and foundational, after all it is with that action that Anne Sullivan was able to unlock learning for Helen Keller.

We did this activity in the kitchen because that is where she sees these materials used daily.  Children love getting their hands on the tools they have seen you work with. 

Some helpful hints when doing this activity: about 2 inches of water is enough/ you'll need to sit with one hand on the dishpan to prevent it from tipping/give baby the names of each tool-"whisk" "spoon" etc..

Coedith Cabana

This week summer finally began here in the Pacific North West and we got our pool up just in time for the heat.  You have seen the playhouse in this post- and now look at it! Transformed into a cabana.  Isn't it cute?  I had just been given those pink and white striped curtains that fit perfectly.

I wanted to show a picture of the leisurely life I lead lounging in the sun, but I realized I was in my weight watcher "before" post swimsuit.  Did you recognize it above?  I have ruined a perfectly good swimsuit because now I can no longer feel good wearing it.  No problem though I simply ran to Target, I needed to anyways, and grabbed this darling vintage inspired one.  All in all I am happy with it, although the halter could be more than a spaghetti strap and the white lining wants to curve and make an appearance at the bust line.  But hey, it was $35.

Presents from Papa (and a little rant)

When Papa came home from work last night he had a present for me.  A new dress!  I love it and it fits like a dream.  How did he know?  Well I might have dropped a hint-or two.  He is very good at reading between the lines and keeps a moleskin with him full of little notes about things I like/dislike/want, etc.  Isn't that sweet?  I give it the dress an approximate date of 1948-1952.  

Oh that reminds me last week while at the hotsprings he gave me this signed and numbered Angelique Houtkamp print.  Adorable.

I also would like to add that when I see sellers on Etsy who copy original art-especially tattooers, and sell it for their own profit with out any regard to the artist it REALLY burns me up.   It is talentless and stealing and I can't believe they aren't completely ashamed of themselves.  As wife of an artist I know how much time and energy goes into each piece of work.  If a piece inspires you, great.  If you want to paint in the same style, good for you.  But to flat out make copies, no, no.  I actually just saw a woman who has "original" Sailor Jerry paintings-she painted (like crap) and she put his signature on each one.  WTF?  Please do not purchase from them.

Okay I'll get off my soapbox.

Anyways...Isn't my new dress cute?

Fun All Around

My family always loves a reason to have a party.  Besides the traditional reasons we also have had parties such as "Ruthie Can Read" and "Lorreta Lynn Breakfast".  Anyway this weekend we didn't have to think of a theme because we had Twila Jean's birthday and the very next day was the 4th of July.  I have to tell you it didn't begin or end with said parties.  Those parties were sandwiched between happy hour with my "bff" and a pool set up bbq.  

Above you see I found my Hawaiian dress I was sure I had gotten rid of.  (I found a box in my garage labeled 'vintage'.  It was like a present I sent myself from the past.)  Then we have Twila Jean posing with Josh and Amy- Team Jessup.  We had a great time and Mav and I stayed out to ..gasp* 11pm!  

The next day right after church we headed to Josh, Amy and Oliver's house where we celebrated the 4th.  We began at 1pm with lots of family, paused to take Dotty home for a nap, and came back to find less family but a lot more friends.

I simply adore summer.  

Little Pink Houses For Him and Me

I love pink houses! -as long as they are they 'right' pink.  Here are a few favorites I came across doing a google image search.  (if they belong to anyone, feel free to credit yourself.)  Which one is your favorite?  My favorite is the first, although maybe because the color was enhanced.  One of the first things Mav did when we bought our house was paint all the trim 'timeless pink' for me.  Shortly after and elderly neighbor lady said, "When you moved in and he was out there painting we knew who wore the pants in that family."  Too funny.  Yes, my husband likes to make me happy but it doesn't equate me wearing the pants.  I am always surprised to hear woman say their husbands would never live in a pink house.  Why do you think this is?